CEO Magazine ranks Niagara University's MBA program among best in world

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Jul 8th 2013 10:05 am

Niagara
University's MBA programs are among the best in the world,
according to CEO Magazine.

In
its April issue, the British-based magazine listed NU's MBA program
in its Top Tier of North American institutions, a distinction earned
by only 20 colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The
rankings were created from data gathered from past and present
student responses to a 2012-13 survey conducted by the International
Graduate Forum, CEO Magazine's parent company.

Results
were based on the quality of an institution's in-class experience
and teaching faculty, which took into account metrics such as smaller
class sizes, student work experience, international diversity within
the classroom, faculty-to-student ratios and faculty qualifications -
both academic and professional.

"The
IGF's aim is to strip away elements such as salary increases,
career progression, international/gender diversity in academic
boards, number of doctoral graduates from the school (and how many
then return to teach at said school) and so on," wrote Alexandra
Skinner, the publication's editor-in-chief. "We want to keep the
IGF MBA rankings simple and look at what's offered to the student
once they get to the business school of their choice. Some
'lesser-known' schools, which would often otherwise be
marginalized, are very well positioned to service postgraduates, and
our aim is to highlight this level of quality and value for future
students."

Within
the magazine's four-page spread on Niagara University, MBA director
Dr. Paul Richardson was asked about the value that NU delivers to its
students.

"My
most important responsibility is to provide an exceptional learning
experience and superior professional outcomes for our students," he
responded. "(Niagara's) MBA faculty are not only world-class
scholars, but also seasoned executives who understand how to create
value on a global basis. Classes blend the most advanced theory with
best practices to create impactful and relevant learning
opportunities."

Meanwhile,
Dr. Shawn Daly was one of only eight deans invited to lend
perspective on what they saw as emerging trends in the evolving
landscape of business education. Daly, dean of Niagara's College of
Business Administration, pointed to certification systems, the
changing MBA student demographic and technology-enhanced hybrid
courses.

"At
Niagara University, our advisory board has recommended four board
categories of skills - leadership, people and teamwork, technical
competencies, and client acquisition," Daly said. "We're
working to operationalize such an assessment and reward system
beginning in 2013-14. In addition, Niagara University will be
aligning the curriculum for students to achieve major certifications
in the various business fields."

Niagara
University's AACSB International-accredited College of Business
Administration currently offers MBA concentrations in accounting,
finance, general management, health care administration, human
resources, international management, strategic management and
strategic marketing management. The program has witnessed a 75.7
percent increase in student enrollment since 2008-09, and a 98.3
percent jump in credit hours during the same time period.

"With
competition between business schools continuing to increase, it is
important for colleges and universities to understand what students
really want," stated Dr. Tim Downs, NU's vice president for
academic affairs. "It is our intent to offer our students a
well-rounded program that prepares them for personal and professional
success, while remaining faithful to our mission of serving the less
fortunate. I believe that we have done an admirable job at fulfilling
these objectives, and we will continue to strengthen our programs to
ensure that we are doing so moving forward."